Here's how to make homemade Lactation Cookies that are so much healthier and cheaper than store bought. They’re delicious treats made with ingredients to help milk supply and crazy easy to make.
As you all know I recently had a baby and like all new mothers, my whole world has revolved around feeding my precious little Luca. I found I had a low milk supply which was devastating, so I've been really focused on trying to increase it the last couple of months. After a lot of research and speaking with other mom friends and family members, everyone was telling me to buy lactation cookies which they found helped.
But why buy them when we can easily make them at home??? Not only are my homemade lactation cookies healthier, but they're also much cheaper than store bought too. They're made with whole foods and instead of adding loads of sugar, they're sweetened with honey - actually quite similar to my viral breakfast cookies that you all love.
Breastfeeding has definitely increased my appetite, especially in the middle of the night whilst feeding. I'm always peckish and need a little pick me up. These lactation cookies are the perfect guilt free treat and are healthy to enjoy any time of the day, even brekkie. My husband has even been enjoying them too when I'm not looking 🤣
Table of Contents
Recipe Highlights
- Healthy & Nutritious: Using wholesome ingredients and made without butter or sugar for a healthier treat
- Support Milk Supply: With ingredients including oats, brewers yeast and flaxseed meal
- Easy Steps: Cookie batter comes together quickly using simple pantry staples
- Meal Planning: Perfect for making a big batch to enjoy anytime
What are Lactation Cookies?
Lactation Cookies are made with ingredients commonly believed to help support milk supply for breastfeeding moms. Most lactation recipes include ingredients like oats, brewers yeast and flaxseed meal because they contain nutrients that may help boost milk production.
Many new moms like myself need a quick sweet snack on busy days and especially late night feeds and these cookies are a great option. Rather than purchasing lactation cookies, here I've made a homemade recipe which are healthier without any butter or sugar and so much cheaper than store bought.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Rolled oats form the base of these cookies instead of flour, providing fiber, nutrients, and a soft, chewy texture. Steel-cut oats aren’t recommended, but gluten-free can be used if needed
- Brewers yeast is a common ingredient used in lactation cookies to help boost milk supply. If you haven't tried it before, know that it has a strong, slightly bitter flavor. You can leave it out if you prefer a milder cookie
- Ripe banana naturally sweetens the cookies and adds to the soft texture. The browner the better. It also helps bind the dough rather than adding an egg
- Ground flax seeds / flaxmeal adds fiber and healthy fats while helping bind the dough. If you don’t have flaxseed meal, chia seeds can work as an alternative
- Mini dark chocolate chips and dried cranberries add bursts of sweetness and texture. You can use chocolate chips or cranberries alone if you prefer
- Honey adds natural sweetness without using brown sugar and helps bind the cookies. You can swap for agave or maple syrup for a vegan cookie mixture
- Coconut oil helps keep the cookies soft and moist. I prefer it over unsalted butter for a light subtle flavor
- Vanilla extract adds a lovely aroma and subtle flavor
- Baking powder helps the cookies rise slightly
- Salt and cinnamon bring out the flavors in the cookies. You can mix in a little nutmeg or other warm spices for an extra cozy touch
How to make Lactation Cookies
Here are my simple steps to make these lactation cookies at home. The process is quick and easy, just combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, then bake until lightly golden (note quantities are listed in the recipe card below)
Step 1: Mash the ripe banana in a medium bowl using a fork
Step 2: Add remaining wet ingredients, the honey, vanilla extract and melted coconut oil. Whisk to combine
Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients - rolled oats, brewers yeast, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, baking powder and a pinch of salt
Step 4: Add in the mini chocolate chips and/or dried cranberries. Stir to combine
Step 5: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold together
Step 6: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop a heaped tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball, and place on the baking sheet. Repeat to make about 12–14 balls, depending on size
Step 7: Using the back of a spoon, gently flatten each ball, then use your fingers to shape into a round cookie
Step 8: Bake for 8–10 minutes, until lightly golden. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely or enjoy them warm
Tips and Tricks
- Mix the dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls first so everything is evenly distributed and easier to mix
- If your coconut oil is set and hard especially in the cooler months, microwave it briefly until melted before adding to the wet ingredients
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon so every cookie is the same size and bakes evenly
- Let the cookies cool briefly on the baking sheet then on a wire rack before serving so they set
Storage Instructions
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or store in the fridge for up to 10 days
- Reheat cookies briefly in the oven or microwave if you prefer them soft and fresh
- Freeze cookies in a sealed container for 1-2 months and thaw when needed
FAQs
Results vary from person to person. Some new moms feel they help boost milk supply, while others simply enjoy them as a nourishing snack. A lactation consultant can provide more personalized advice if needed
Ingredients like oats, brewers yeast, and flaxseed meal are often credited with supporting milk supply
Snacks that may help support milk supply include lactation cookies, oatmeal, nut butters (like almond butter), smoothies with oats or flaxseed, and snacks with fenugreek or brewer’s yeast. There are also special mom teas made with fenugreek and fennel seeds which are also known to boost supply
More Oatmeal Recipes
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your photo on Instagram so I can share the love!
Recipe
Lactation Cookies (Healthy Recipe)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ¼ cup brewers yeast
- ¼ cup ground flax seeds / flaxmeal
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅓ cup combination of mini dark chocolate chips and dried cranberries (or choose one or the other)
- Good pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large ripe banana
- ⅓ cup honey
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, peel the banana and mash with a fork
- Add the remaining wet ingredients which are the honey, vanilla and melted coconut oil then whisk together
- Separately in a large bowl add the dry ingredients - rolled oats, brewers yeast, flaxmeal, cinnamon, baking powder and a good pinch of salt. Add the mini chocolate chips and/or cranberries and mix together.**If you haven't tried brewers yeast before, know that it has a strong, slightly bitter flavor. You can reduce the amount if you prefer a milder taste
- Preheat the oven to 350℉/180℃. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl and mix together, folding through with a rubber spatula
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spoon out a heaped tablespoon of the cookie dough mixture, roll into a ball and place on the baking sheet. Continue with the remaining mixture, you should have 12-14 cookies depending on your preferred size*Note, if some of the choc chips and cranberries are left at the bottom of the bowl, you can add these on top of the cookies
- Using the back of a spoon, lightly flatten the balls and shape them with your fingers into round cookie shapes
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet to setEnjoy your Lactation Cookies nice and warm, or place them on a wire rack to completely cool down before storing
Notes
- Separate bowls - mix the dry and wet ingredients in different bowls first so everything combines well
- Coconut oil - if it’s solid, especially in cooler months, briefly microwave it until melted before adding it to the wet ingredients
- Scoop - use a cookie scoop or tablespoon so each cookie is the same size and bakes evenly
- Cooling - let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack so they set properly
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